Editing Willoughby, Ohio

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
| name                    = Willoughby, Ohio
| settlement_type         = [[City]]
| nickname                = 
| motto                   = "The Courtesy City"

<!-- Images -->
| image_skyline           = Downtown Willoughby.jpg
| imagesize               = 250px
| image_caption           = Downtown Willoughby
| image_flag              = 
| image_seal              =

<!-- Maps and coordinates -->
| image_map               = WILLOUGHBY locator, Cleveland, 2021.svg
| mapsize                 = 
| map_caption             = Location in Greater Cleveland
| pushpin_map             = Ohio#USA
| pushpin_relief          = yes
| pushpin_label           = Willoughby
| coordinates             = {{coord|41|38|05|N|81|24|30|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes   = <ref name="Census 2010" />

<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type        = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name        = United States
| subdivision_type1       = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1       = [[Ohio]]
| subdivision_type2       = [[List of counties in Ohio|County]]
| subdivision_name2       = [[Lake County, Ohio|Lake]]

<!-- Government -->
| established_title       = 
| established_date        = 
| government_footnotes    = 
| government_type         = 
| leader_title            = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name             = Robert Fiala (R)<ref>{{cite web | title=Elected Officials | url=https://www.lakecountyohio.gov/boe/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/06/Elected-Officials-6-10-24.pdf | ref={{sfnref | Anon.}} | access-date=2024-08-01}}</ref>
| leader_title1           = 
| leader_name1            =

<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 20, 2022}}</ref>
| area_magnitude          = 
|area_total_sq_mi         = 10.33
|area_land_sq_mi          = 10.24
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.09
|area_total_km2           = 26.75
|area_land_km2            = 26.51
|area_water_km2           = 0.23

<!-- Elevation -->
| elevation_footnotes     = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft            = 637

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 
|pop_est_as_of            = 
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 23959
|population_density_sq_mi = 2340.43
|population_density_km2   = 903.61

<!-- General information -->
| timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| utc_offset               = -5
| timezone_DST             = EDT
| utc_offset_DST           = -4

<!-- Area/postal codes & others -->
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]s
| postal_code              = 44094-44097
| area_code                = [[Area code 440|440]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 39-85484<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 1086435<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|1086435}}</ref>
| website                  = {{URL|https://willoughbyohio.com/}}
| footnotes                = 
}}

'''Willoughby''' is a city in [[Lake County, Ohio]], United States, along the [[Chagrin River]]. The population was 23,959 at the time of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]]. A suburb of [[Cleveland]], it is part of the [[Greater Cleveland|Cleveland metropolitan area]].

== History ==
[[File:"Town square in Willoughby, Ohio" - DPLA - 44b3fe59675ad6e714daeecc5d0d46de (page 1).jpg|left|thumb|Town square of Willoughby, Ohio in 1908. Featuring the Civil War memorial, [[Dahlgren gun|Dahlgren cannon]], and bandstand in the background.]]
Willoughby's first permanent settler was David Abbott in 1798, who operated a [[gristmill]].<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=REtEXQNWq6MC&pg=PA876 | title=Historical Gazetteer of the United States | publisher=Routledge | date=May 13, 2013 | access-date=November 30, 2013 | author=Hellmann, Paul T. | pages=876| isbn=978-1135948597 }}</ref> Abbott and his family were said to have had close relations with a band of Indians along the banks of the local river, which the Indians called the "Sha-ga-rin" meaning "Clear Water." This river was later called the [[Chagrin River]], though the origin of the name remains in dispute.

In 1835, the village was permanently named "Willoughby" in honor of [[Westel Willoughby, Jr.]], a public health official that the founders of a short-lived Medical College, which was based in the city, hoped to attract to the area.<ref>{{cite web|last=Taddeo|first=Ronald J.|url=https://willoughbyohio.com/how-willoughby-got-its-name/|title=How Willoughby Got Its Name|publisher=City of Willoughby website|access-date=October 30, 2019}}<!-- Additional ref if necessary: https://www.news-herald.com/news/lake-county/willoughby-traces-roots-to-haunted-tale-of-grave-robbing/article_f6fd5e5e-fa95-11e9-b0b6-1f9c7d5b3917.html , 2019-10-30  --></ref> Many historical buildings from this period survive to this date, affording the downtown Willoughby area some outstanding specimens of 19th century architecture.

In World War I, the U.S. Army chose Willoughby as the site for a chemical weapons plant producing [[lewisite]].<ref name="hershberg">{{cite book|last=Hershberg|first=James G.|title=James B. Conant : Harvard to Hiroshima and the making of the nuclear age|year=1993|publisher=Stanford University Press|location=Stanford, Cal.|isbn=0-8047-2619-1|pages=47}}</ref>

Over time, Willoughby sent citizens into every major U.S. military conflict. Several memorials and historical relics are displayed in Wes Point Park, the center of downtown Willoughby, to honor those that have served.

Willoughby is the only town in America that has belonged, at one time or other, to six counties ([[Washington County, Ohio|Washington]], [[Jefferson County, Ohio|Jefferson]], [[Trumbull County, Ohio|Trumbull]], [[Geauga County, Ohio|Geauga]], [[Cuyahoga County, Ohio|Cuyahoga]], and Lake).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Willoughby,_Ohio|title=Willoughby, Ohio - Ohio History Central|website=www.ohiohistorycentral.org|language=en|access-date=March 1, 2018}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[Image:Willoughby ohio erie street.jpg|thumb|left|150px|View north down Erie Street in downtown Willoughby]]
Willoughby is located at {{coord|41.645915|-81.409681|type:city|format=dms}} (41.645915, -81.408515).<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web | url = https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/2010_place_list_39.txt | title = 2010 Census Gazetteer Files: Places: Ohio | publisher = United States Census Bureau | date = August 22, 2012 | access-date = December 19, 2012}}</ref><ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|10.34|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|10.25|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.09|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name ="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 6, 2013}}</ref>

Willoughby is in an interesting geographical area. To the west is Cleveland, allowing for access to big businesses and a high neighboring population density. It is also close to more rural parts of northeast Ohio such as Waite Hill and Kirtland, two villages in Lake County Ohio with some of the highest residential values. It also has access to Mentor Ave, a long stretch of mostly commercial buildings spanning alongside the coast of Lake Erie.

==Government==

Willoughby has a [[Mayor–council government|mayor-council]] system of government.  As of 2024, the mayor is Robert Fiala, a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]].  The City Council consists of seven members, who are elected for two-year terms.  One member is elected by the city at-large, and six members are elected from wards.  As of 2024, the members of the City Council are as follows:<ref>{{cite web | title=Elected Officials | url=https://www.lakecountyohio.gov/boe/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/06/Elected-Officials-6-10-24.pdf | ref=Lake County Board of Elections | access-date=2024-08-21}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Willoughby City Council
|-
! Seat
! Name
! Party
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
| Council-at-Large
| Daniel J. Anderson
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
| Ward 1
| Kristie Sievers
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|- {{party shading/Independent}}
| Ward 2
| Ken J. Kary
| Unaffiliated
|- {{party shading/Independent}}
| Ward 3
| John Tomaselli
| Unaffiliated
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
| Ward 4
| Robert E. Carr
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
| Ward 5
| Mike L. Merhar
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|- {{party shading/Republican}}
| Ward 6
| Dan Garry
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|align=right
|1840= 390
|1860= 589
|1870= 867
|1880= 1001
|1890= 1219
|1900= 1753
|1910= 2072
|1920= 2656
|1930= 4252
|1940= 4364
|1950= 5602
|1960= 15058
|1970= 18634
|1980= 19290
|1990= 20510
|2000= 22621
|2010= 22268
|2020= 23959
|estyear=2021
|estimate=23898
|estref=
|footnote=Sources:<ref name="GR2" /><ref name="Census1960">{{cite web|title=Number of Inhabitants: Ohio|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/37749282v1p37_ch02.pdf|date=1960|work=18th Census of the United States|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=May 17, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Census1990">{{cite web|title=Ohio: Population and Housing Unit Counts|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/cen1990/cph2/cph-2-37.pdf|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=November 22, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/willoughbycityohio,US/PST045221|title=Willoughby city, Ohio|website=census.gov|accessdate=July 7, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Census 2010" />
}}

===2010 census===
At the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]] there were 22,268 people in 10,413 households, including 5,716 families, in the city. The population density was {{convert|2172.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 11,387 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1110.9|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|racial makeup]] of the city was 93.6% White, 3.1% African American, 0.1% Native American, 1.5% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.3%.<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 6, 2013}}</ref>

Of the 10,413 households 23.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.1% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 45.1% were non-families. 38.4% of households were one person and 16.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.83.

The median age was 43.6 years. 19.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.2% were from 25 to 44; 29.1% were from 45 to 64; and 19.1% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.8% male and 53.2% female.

===2000 census===
At the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]] there were 22,621 people in 10,265 households, including 5,892 families, in the city. The population density was {{convert|2,225.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 10,700 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,052.6|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2000 census|racial makeup]] of the city was 96.47% White, 1.14% African American, 0.17% Native American, 1.15% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.11% from other races, and 0.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.71%.<ref name="GR2" /> 19.0% were of [[German Americans|German]], 15.8% [[Italian Americans|Italian]], 13.3% [[Irish Americans|Irish]], 8.2% [[English Americans|English]], 5.6% [[Polish Americans|Polish]], 5.6% [[American ancestry|American]] and 5.4% [[Slovene Americans|Slovene]] ancestry according to [[Census 2000]].

Of the 10,265 households 25.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.8% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.6% were non-families. 36.6% of households were one person and 13.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.87.

The age distribution was 21.1% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.9 males.<ref>{{Cite web|title = The City of Willoughby - 1 Public Square • Willoughby, OH 44094 • 440.951.2800|url = http://willoughbyohio.com/|website = The City of Willoughby|access-date = January 25, 2016|language = en-US}}</ref>
[[File:DTW Dec.2023.jpg|thumb|Downtown Willoughby, Ohio Looking North on [[U.S. Route 20]] December 2023]]
The median household income was $43,387 and the median family income was $53,677. Males had a median income of $38,711 versus $30,553 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,653. About 4.3% of families and 5.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 8.4% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.

==Economy==
According to the city's 2009 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,<ref>[http://willoughbyohio.com/finance/forms/2009_CAFR_with_bookmarks.pdf City of Willoughby CAFR]</ref> the top employers in the city were:
{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1"
|-
! #
! Employer
! # of employees
|-
|1
|[[Lake Health]]
|669
|-
|2
|[[Willoughby-Eastlake City School District]]
|458
|-
|3
|Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services
|450
|-
|4
|[[Momentive Performance Materials]]
|377
|-
|5
|Marous Brothers Construction
|263
|-
|6
|City of Willoughby
|237
|-
|7
|[[Universal Health Services|Windsor-Laurelwood]]
|225
|-
|8
|Deepwood Industries 
|205
|-
|9
|[[Giant Eagle]]
|180
|-
|10
|Bescast
|141
|-
|}

==Education==
[[File:Willoughby South High School, Willoughby, Ohio.jpg|thumb|[[South High School (Willoughby, Ohio)|South High School]]]]
Willoughby is served by the [[Willoughby-Eastlake City School District|Willoughby-Eastlake School District]]. Two public high schools are located in Willoughby, [[Willoughby South High School]] and Willoughby-Eastlake Technical Center.

South High School, which opened its doors at its present location in 2019. Previously, Willoughby South High School and current rival [[Eastlake, Ohio|Eastlake]] [[North High School (Eastlake, Ohio)|North High]] were housed in the same building called Union High, but following the division, the then-abandoned Union High became the location of Willoughby Junior High School until 1972. It then housed the Willoughby-Eastlake Technical Center, located in downtown Willoughby.

In 2011, the proposed Five-Year Facilities Plan would add 2 new buildings to the district, a new Longfellow Elementary, a new Eastlake North High School, renovate Willoughby South High School, add a new school to the building as well as move Willoughby Middle School to the previous building. Construction for these buildings began in Fall 2016 and ended Fall 2019. The demolition of the old Willoughby Middle, Longfellow Elementary, and North High School began and ended Summer 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.weschools.org/Downloads/Facilities%205-Year%20Plan%20UPDATED%20-%207-7-2015.pdf|title=Five-Year Facilities Plan|website=Willoughby-Eastlake School District|access-date=April 23, 2020}}</ref>

The [[Andrews Osborne Academy]],  a private boarding school, is also located in Willoughby.

Willoughby is served by a branch of the [[Lake County, Ohio#Library services|Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://we247.org/locationsandhours/ | title=Locations and Hours | work=Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library | access-date=February 26, 2018}}</ref>

==Media==
* ''[[The News-Herald (Ohio)|The News-Herald]]'', a Lake County newspaper, has been headquartered in Willoughby since its inception.
* [[WINT (AM)|WINT]] on AM 1330 is licensed to Willoughby and serves the surrounding area.

==Notable people==
* [[Tim Conway]], actor
* [[Ethan Carter III]], professional wrestler
* [[James Emery (musician)|James Emery]], jazz musician
* [[Gregory J. Harbaugh|Greg Harbaugh]], NASA astronaut
* [[Kareem Hunt]], professional football player
* [[Katie McGregor]], athlete
* [[Ricky Stanzi]], professional football player
* [[Lyn St. James]], auto racer
* [[Betty Thomas]], actress, director, writer
* [[Elizabeth Augustus Whitehead]], archaeologist and philanthropist
* [[Evan Wright]], writer

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{Official website|www.willoughbyohio.com}}
* [https://www.willoughbyareawelcomecenter.com/ Willoughby Area Welcome Center]
* [http://wepl.lib.oh.us/willoughby.htm Willoughby branch of the Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library]

{{Lake County, Ohio}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Ohio]]
[[Category:Cities in Lake County, Ohio]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1798]]
[[Category:Cleveland metropolitan area]]
[[Category:1798 establishments in the Northwest Territory]]